Hood assembly for a machine

ABSTRACT

A hood assembly for enclosing a service compartment of a machine includes a hood member with a slit and at least one hinge. A bracket, attached to an attachment portion of the hood member, includes a slot with a stop portion. A support member has a first end retained into an inner portion of the hood member. A second end is engagable with the slot in the bracket. A latch unit with a lock bar is tiltable and positionable between a first position and a second position. The lock bar moves corresponding to the first position away from the hood member, unlatching the lock bar, and to the second position towards the hood member, latching the lock bar. The hood member pivots between a first closed position and an open position. The open position is a locked open position as the second end is retained within the stop portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a modular hood design in a construction machine. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a hood design that improves under-hood accessibility.

BACKGROUND

Construction machines, such as backhoe loaders, generally include a service compartment that houses an engine to run the construction machine. During service and repair, several components within the service compartment may be frequently accessed. For this purpose, service compartments generally include hoods that facilitate access to the engine and other associated components. Current hood designs generally include a split-open configuration that requires the engine to be accessed from the sides of the construction machine. This configuration may be undesirable in situations where components assembled to one side of the engine need to be regularly accessed from an opposite side. In such situations, machine operators and service personnel may need to repeatedly move across the machine, thereby increasing time and effort of an affiliated service operation. Consequentially, current hood design configurations may also subject service and maintenance procedures to needless disassembly and removal of certain components.

Additionally, current hood opening mechanisms include push-type gas-strut option, which is expensive and of a relatively shorter life. Aesthetically, the current split-open design may not be pleasing as well. This is due to the hood's hinge, which is outwardly visible as a seam running over a substantial central portion of the hood, along a length of the machine.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,480,141 discloses a hood stay apparatus that aids in positioning the hood in an open configuration, even under conditions that are unfavorable to such a deployment. Although this reference discloses an apparatus that assists in positioning the hood in the open position, this reference does not disclose a configuration by which engine and related components may be accessed with relative ease and convenience.

Accordingly, the system and method of the present disclosure solves one or more problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present disclosure illustrate a hood assembly that operably encloses a service compartment of a machine. The hood assembly includes a hood member that defines a slit therein, and at least one hinge. A bracket having a slot with a stop portion is attached to an attachment portion of the hood member. Further included is a support member with a first end and a second end. The first end of the support member is rotatably retained relative to an inner portion of the hood member. The second end of the support member is slidably engagable with the slot in the bracket. A latch unit within the hood assembly includes a lock bar, which is tiltable and positionable between a first position and a second position. The lock bar is selectively moveable. In response to unlatching the lock bar, the first position corresponds to movement away from the hood member. In response to latching the lock bar, the second position corresponds to movement towards the hood member. The hood member is structured and arranged to pivot selectively between a first closed position and an open position relative to the machine. The open position corresponds to a locked open position of the hood member in response to the second end of the support member being engagably retained within the stop portion of the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a construction machine installed with an exemplary hood assembly, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of the hood assembly of FIG. 1, which depicts an open position of the hood assembly relative to the machine of FIG. 1, in accordance to the concepts of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary latch unit of the hood assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the hood assembly of FIG. 1, in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a machine 100. The machine 100 may be construction machine, such as a backhoe loader. However, an application of the present disclosure may extend to other machines, such as skid steer loaders, wheel loaders, compact track and multi-terrain loaders, track loaders, and/or knuckleboom loaders. The machine 100 may embody at least one of a wheeled configuration and/or a tracked configuration. The machine 100 may be associated with mining, agriculture, forestry, construction, and/or other industrial applications. Concepts of the present disclosure may also extend to systems and sub-systems within machines, such as off-highway trucks, scrapers, motor graders, large mining trucks (LMTs), articulated trucks, asphalt pavers, and/or tracked machines.

The machine 100 includes a service compartment 102, with a hood assembly 104 that houses an engine (not shown). The hood assembly 104 includes a hood member 108, which is pivotally attached to a front end 106 of the machine 100. While pivoting relative to the front end 106, the hood member 108 may open and close relative to a fixed hood portion 110. A latch unit 112 may enable a closure of the hood member 108 to the fixed hood portion 110.

A functionality of the machine 100 is performed by a component set that includes wheels 114, a bucket 116 (which is operably coupled to a substantial rear of the machine 100), and a loader implement 118 (which is operably coupled to a substantial front of the machine 100). Further, an operator may perform associated operative maneuvers from within an operator cab 120.

Referring to FIG. 2, a detailed view of the hood assembly 104 is shown, with an enlarged view of a section of the hood assembly 104. Besides the hood member 108, the hood assembly 104 also includes a hinge 202, a bracket 204, and a support member 206, as shown. In the depicted embodiment, the hood member 108 is pivoted along hinge 202 and moves along a direction, A. This pivotal configuration is relative to the front end 106, and is open relative to the fixed hood portion 110.

The hood member 108 may include an attachment portion 208, to which the bracket 204 is connected. A slit 210 is structured at a rear end 212 of the hood member 108 relative to the machine 100. The rear end 212 engages with the fixed hood portion 110 in a first closed position (see FIG. 4). This engagement facilitates a registration of the slit 210 with a notch 214 that is structured on the fixed hood portion 110. A hinge connection 216 is operably connected between the hood member 108 and the front end 106. The hinge connection 216 complements the pivotal movement of the hood member 108. More particularly, the hinge connection 216 aids and guides in a stabilized pivotal movement of the hood member 108 relative to the front end 106. This stabilized movement may involve minimization of undue bends and deformation of the hood member 108. Also included in the hood member 108 is an inner portion 218, structured to partially and rotatably accommodate the support member 206. In so doing, an operable, pivotal connection between the hood member 108 and the front end 106 is facilitated.

Both the slit 210 and the notch 214 may have a profile (or shape) that complements each other. Therefore, the registration established between the slit 210 and the notch 214 during a hood closure defines a substantially linearly cut-out aperture 402 (see FIG. 4), through and across which a locking mechanism (latch unit 112) is be operably positioned.

The hinge 202 is configured to impart a pivotal operation to the hood member 108, relative to the fixed hood portion 110, as discussed above. The bracket 204 and the support member 206 are part of the hinge 202, and assist the hood member 108 in the execution of this pivotal operation.

The bracket 204 may be connected to the front end 106 of the machine 100. Alternatively, the bracket 204 may be connected to the attachment portion 208 of the hood member 108. The bracket 204 may generally be made from high-strength steel, which may withstand the relatively heavy weight and deployment of the hood member 108, even during vibratory machine conditions. The bracket 204 may include a generally planer profile. The bracket 204 may extend substantially under the hood member 108 and inwards into the service compartment 102 (see FIG. 1) from the front end 106, to operably engage the hood member 108. Other profiles, such as angular profiles, and various other configurations of the bracket 204, may be contemplated.

The bracket 204 includes a slot 220 to slidably and operably position the support member 206. The slot 220 may be substantially linearly extended along a length of the bracket 204. The slot 220 may include multiple other suitable profiles and structures. The slot 220 further defines a stop portion 222, into which the support member 206 is positioned and locked in turn to hold the hood member 108 in the open position relative to the fixed hood portion 110. In an exemplary embodiment, a profile of the slot 220 may be arcuate to comply with the pivotal motion of the hood member 108. Several other profiles may be envisioned.

The support member 206 may include a substantially S-shaped profile, with a first end 224 and a second end 226. At the first end 224, the support member 206 may be rotatably retained into the inner portion 218, which establishes the partial and rotatable accommodation of the support member 206 relative to the hood member 108. The second end 226 may be disposed in slidable engagement with the slot 220 in the bracket 204, thus establishing the slidable and operable position of the support member 206 with the bracket 204. In the open position of the hood member 108, the second end 226 of the support member 206 is engaged and positioned into the stop portion 222 of the slot 220, as shown in FIG. 2. To accommodate such pivotal operation and deployment of the hood member 108, the support member 206 may possess high-strength characteristics, as well. Although an S-shaped profile of the support member 206 is disclosed, it may be contemplated that a variety of other shapes and profiles may be used to facilitate a pivotal movement of the hood member 108 relative to the front end 106.

Referring to FIG. 3, a partial pictorial view of the hood assembly 104 in the open position is shown. Moreover, the latch unit 112 is depicted, which facilitates a positive lock between the hood member 108 and the fixed hood portion 110. The latch unit 112 includes a lock bar 302, a knob 304 (to operably rotate the lock bar 302), a fulcrum connector 306, and a lock-bar retainer 308.

The lock bar 302 facilitates securement of the hood member 108 to the fixed hood portion 110, when in the first closed position (see FIG. 4). The lock bar 302 may be steel-based unit, substantially cylindrical in shape, and elongated in profile. However, other profiles and shapes may be contemplated. The lock bar 302 is operably positioned at an interface between the hood member 108 and the fixed hood portion 110. This interface exists at the registration (or the linearly cut-out aperture 402, see FIG. 4) between the slit 210 and the notch 214. The lock bar 302 may be deployed across this registration and may extend at least partially outward of the linearly cut-out aperture 402, and thus, partially out of the service compartment 102. This facilitates outward accessibility of the lock bar 302. Additionally, the lock bar 302 may be selectively moveable and tiltable (in direction, B,) across a length of the linearly cut-out aperture 402, to selectively lock and unlock the hood member 108 to the fixed hood portion 110.

The lock bar 302 may include threads (not shown) to threadably engage with the fulcrum connector 306. In doing so, the lock bar 302 may be manipulated substantially in the direction as seen by an arrow, D, relative to the linearly cut-out aperture 402.

In an embodiment, the linearly cut-out aperture 402 may include a variation in profile. For example, a curved cut-out aperture, or an aperture having multiple other profiles, such as those with an angular profile characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions, irregular profiles, etc., and other such configurations may be contemplated. To this end, profiles of the slit 210 and the notch 214 may be correspondingly and suitably varied as well.

The ability to be tiltable generally facilitates the lock bar 302 to be positionable between a first position and a second position about the linearly cut-out aperture 402. In response to unlatching the lock bar 302, the first position may correspond to a position where the lock bar 302 is away from the hood member 108. Whereas, in response to latching the lock bar 302, the second position may correspond to the lock bar 302 titled towards the hood member 108.

The knob 304 is connected to the outward extension of the lock bar 302, and thus enhances the outward accessibility of the lock bar 302. Besides facilitation of the tilt facility to the lock bar 302, the knob 304 facilitates a rotatable movement of the lock bar 302 in the direction, C, as well.

The fulcrum connector 306 is a pivot point connector, which is engaged with the lock bar 302, and about which the lock bar 302 is configured to be tiltable between the first position and the second position. To enable this tiltable functionality, the fulcrum connector 306 may be rotatably connected to a fixing bracket 312, which is in turn fastened to the fixed hood portion 110. The fulcrum connector 306 also facilitates a rotatably actuated reciprocation of the lock bar 302 in the direction as seen by the arrow, D. This is enabled by use of a threaded aperture 310 within the fulcrum connector 306, into which the lock bar 302 is threadably engaged. A twist of the lock bar 302 in the direction, C, facilitates a linear movement along the direction depicted by arrow, D. This movement is relative to the linearly cut-out aperture 402 (or the registration between the slit 210 and the notch 214).

The lock-bar retainer 308 may help retain the lock bar 302 to the fulcrum connector 306 by establishing a confirmed lock at an opposed end of the lock bar 302. The lock-bar retainer 308 may also help avoid undesirable detachment of the lock bar 302 from the fulcrum connector 306 during service and maintenance operations, or during general working conditions of the machine 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first closed position of the hood assembly 104 (or a closure of the hood member 108 relative to the fixed hood portion 110) is shown. In this position, the rear end 212 of the hood member 108 is engaged with the fixed hood portion 110. This closure registers the slit 210 with the notch 214, and thus establishes the linearly cut-out aperture 402.

Additionally, a disengaged state of the latch unit 112, relative to the hood assembly 104, is also shown. An engagement of the latch unit 112 with the hood assembly 104, to establish the full closure of the hood assembly 104, may be facilitated in the direction, E, as depicted.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In general working conditions of the machine 100, the hood member 108 may be in the first closed position (FIG. 4) relative to the fixed hood portion 110. Accordingly, the latch unit 112 may be in a locked state, as well (along the direction, E), to collectively engage and secure the hood member 108 with the fixed hood portion 110.

During an exemplary hood opening procedure, an operator may manually twist the knob 304 along the direction, C. Such a rotation may facilitate disengagement of the hood member 108 from the fixed hood portion 110. A resultant initial disengagement clearance is thus formed between the knob 304 and the linearly cut-out aperture 402. This clearance may allow the lock bar 302 to be tilted away from the hood member 108 towards the fixed hood portion 110 (direction, B, FIG. 3), across the linearly cut-out aperture 402. The lock bar 302, when tilted away from the hood member 108, unlatches the hood member 108 from the fixed hood portion 110, and is set in the first position. A consequent release of the hood member 108 relative to the fixed hood portion 110 may be pivotally executed along the direction, A (See FIG. 2).

Consequentially, the second end 226 of the support member 206 slides across a length of the slot 220, from a home position towards the stop portion 222. The home position may correspond to the position of the second end 226, when the hood assembly 104 is in the first closed position. Upon attainment of a pivotal threshold (as exemplarily shown in FIG. 2), the second end 226 may drop into the stop portion 222, thereby securing a pivotal deployment (open position) of the hood member 108 relative to the fixed hood portion 110. This indicates a halt in the pivotal motion of the hood member 108. Effectively, the open position corresponds to a locked open position of the hood member 108, in response to an engagable retention of the second end 226 of the support member 206 within the stop portion 222 of the slot 220. An operator may then initiate service and maintenance related activities within the service compartment 102 of the machine 100.

During an exemplary hood closure procedure, following completion of the service and maintenance operation, an operator may manually lift the support member 206 from the stop portion 222 to ascertain a placement of the second end 226 back into the slot 220. This placement guides the support member 206 away from the stop portion 222. A resultant slide of the second end 226 across the length of the slot 220 is initiated and continues until the second end 226 returns to the home position. When an engagement between the rear end 212 and the fixed hood portion 110 is re-established, and thus, a registration between the slit 210 and the notch 214 is reform the linearly cut-out aperture 402, an operator may tilt the lock bar 302 from the first position back to the second position. Notably, this tilt is towards the hood member 108. To effectively latch the lock bar 302, the operator may then twist the knob 304 in an opposite direction (direction, C,) so that an engagement between the hood member 108 and the fixed hood portion 110 is re-attained.

An opening of the hood assembly 104 may be facilitated by use of a resilient member (not shown) that works against gravity to deploy the hood member 108 in the open position. Likewise, the same resilient member may also assist in a stabilized closure of the hood assembly 104. Given the simpler design, the hood assembly 104 may be relatively inexpensive and may last longer than conventionally known configurations. Moreover, as the hood assembly 104 restricts the use of split-open design, a closure for a service compartment 102 is provided which has an aesthetically pleasing and a relatively seamless outward profile.

It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects of the disclosure may be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hood assembly for operably enclosing a service compartment of a machine, the hood assembly comprising: a hood member defining a slit therein; at least one hinge; a bracket defining a slot and the slot further defining a stop portion, the bracket being attached to an attachment portion of the hood member; a support member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support member being rotatably retained relative to an inner portion of the hood member, the second end of the support member being slidably engagable with the slot in the bracket; and a latch unit including: a lock bar being tiltable between a first position and a second position, the lock bar being positionable between the first position and the second position wherein the lock bar being selectively moveable corresponding to the first position away from the hood member in response to unlatching the lock bar and the lock bar being selectively moveable corresponding to the second position towards the hood member in response to latching the lock bar; wherein the hood member being structured and arranged to selectively pivot relative to the machine between a first closed position and an open position, the open position corresponding to a locked open position of the hood member in response to the second end of the support member being engagably retained within the stop portion of the slot within the bracket. 